Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 Daily Press (CN ON) Contact: http://www.timminspress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1001 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) YOUTH GROUP LAUNCHES CONTEST, ANNOUNCES YADAPELOUZA EVENT Youth Against Drug Abuse has plans for local students in the next few months. Thursday at the Porcupine Health Unit, the YADA executive launched its media contest. "All youth in the community are invited to send us a television commercial, radio spot, newspaper article, poem or short story," said YADA chairwoman Danielle Rocheleau. "As long as the submissions follow the criteria, everything will be considered." The submissions for the contest must address two questions -''What does YADA mean to you?' and 'How do you stay connected with life?' The work put into the winning projects will not be in vain. "The winning entries will be used as promotional tools for YADA," Rocheleau said. March 22 is the deadline for entries and on March 29, the winner will be announced. Rocheleau also announced Thursday YADA will hold workshops, likely in April. Yadapelouza, an educational event where students will be able to participate in games and challenges, will be held May 31. The workshops will be held by local community experts at the area high schools during Grade 9 and 10 health classes. Topics for the student workshops include liability, impairment, personal safety and decision making, the physical effects of use/abuse and risk reduction and personal problems. "We're really looking forward to getting the message out about YADA and all we do," said YADA vice-chairwoman Tanya Champagne. "So far we've had a really positive response. The schools and teachers have been backing us." Champagne said plans for Yadapelouza have yet to be finalized. Entries for the media contest can be sent to the Porcupine Health Unit, 169 Pine St. S., Timmins Ont., P4N 8B7. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group can e-mail --- MAP posted-by: Josh